The Apostle to the Gentiles: The vindication of Paul the Apostle

 

There has been a new trend questioning the authenticity of the Apostle Paul.
  How Do we know He is authentically an apostle?

The Bible is preserved
If The Bible is the work of God then it follows that God is responsible for preserving His word.
psalm 119:89 
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."
   So here we see the Old Testament stating that the word will be preserved forever in heaven.  So there has to be a specific manuscript making up God's Word as opposed to an unknown series of experiences or messages.

psalm 12:The words of the Lord are pure words:
as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord,
thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
   The mention of purity in the revelation implies the modern concept of inerrancy

Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."
Isaiah 34:16:Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them."
    The revelation of God is referred as a singular manscript. A "book"

1 peter 1:23 being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."
  Here preservation of the world is earthly revelation giving us the Gospel and assuring us of the new birth.  The so the Word is a singular manuscript for The christian churches.

matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
  The Lord Jesus's words are not in doubt since the are preserved.

2 peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
    Inspiration is the work of God and not man. God did not make mistakes it is the way he wanted it.

Paul is historical
Critical scholars by and large agree as to the historical authenticity of the apostle Paul and Luke. The reason is that historians have come to realize that even works of fiction can convey real historical facts when motivated.  The ancient poets of greek and roman society were by and large considered like prophets who gave their spiritualize interpretation of history. Thus you could extract historical data from them as a secondary source.
We can see this in Homer's Illiad.
"The historicity of the Iliad has been a topic of scholarly debate for centuries and forms one part of the Homeric Question. The Iliad recounts the Trojan War between the city of Troy and a coalition of Mycenaean Greek states, leading to the destruction of Troy. While researchers of the 18th century had largely rejected the story of the Trojan War as fable, the discoveries made by Heinrich Schliemann at Hisarlik reopened the question. The subsequent excavation of Troy VIIa and the discovery of the toponym "Wilusa" in cuneiform Hittite correspondence has made it plausible that the Trojan War cycle was at least remotely based on a historical conflict of the 12th century BC, even if the poems of Homer remembered the event only through the distortion of four centuries of oral tradition."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_the_Iliad

Luke's writings have been verified to be accurate in terms of archaeology..

"Sir william Ramsay is regarded as one of the greatest archaeologist ever to live.  He was trained in the german historical school of the mid-nineteenth century. As a result he was taught that the book of acts was a product i the mid 2nd century a.d.  He was firmly convoced of this belief and set out to prove this teaching.  However he was compelled to a complete reversal of his beliefs due to the overwhelming evidence uncovered in his research.  He spoje of this when he said 'I may fairly claim to have entered on this investigation wuthout prejudice in favor of the conclusion which I shall now seek to justify to the reader.  on the contrary. I began with a mind un favorable to it, for the ingenuity and rks of fictionapparent completeness of Tubingen theory had at one time quite convinced me. It did not then lie in my line of life to investigate the subject minutely; but more recently  found myself brought into contact with the book of acts as an authority of the topograhy, antiquities and society of Asia Minor.  It was gradually borne upon me that in various details the arrative showed marvelous truth.  In fact, beginning with the fixed idea that the work was essentially a second century composition, and ever relying on its evidence as atrustworthy for first century conditions, I gradually came to find it a useful ally in some obscure and difficult investigations.'"
ST. Paul the Travelor and the Roman Citizen Bakerhouse books 1962
Josh McDowell Evidence rhat Demands a Verdict pg 72-73

    Paul and Luke were not  geographers though.  The only reason Paul and luke would have such accuracy is if they were truly there. 
    So if Paul was honest about his writings and accurate as well the documents at minimum are worthy source material.
    As worthy source material, the evidence in acts and galatians confirming Paul's acceptance among the apostles was a valid recording. 

Paul himself shows a clear rejections of fables 
1 tim. 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."
1 timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
2 Tim. 4:4 
and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Titus 1:14
not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
   Why would he oppose fables if he was using them?



Paul is essential
Not only does paul write two thirds of the New testament but most of the NT is affected by him. Luke and Mark were disciples of his. Also the apostles seemed to have adjusted their later writings in light of revelation given to Paul.

Paul is the last apostle
1 corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time"
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection."
   Paul is claiming to be an apostle. but not as a brag.  He considers himself lower than the others because he persecuted people for believing in Christ.

Paul is accepted by the apostles

2 peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. "

philemon 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Paul performed miracles"
Paul is mentioning Nark and luke the authors of two gospels as his associates.


Ephesians 3:1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:"
  Paul's role is very unique in the sense That Paul's Apostleship was focused on the gentiles which, in fact, was the rest of the world.  Even more powerful is the fact that this is true. Paul's writings reached the entire world. just as he said!

Paul's credentials

Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Acts 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them."
philippians 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
   There were basic conditions for one to be considered a prophet.  Besides the obvious show of miracles, one need to be an authentic Hebrew and Paul was an ultra superior example of Hebrew citizenship.

Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."
   here, Paul isdirectly speaking with Jesus Christ.

9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake."
Paul's vision is confirmed with a vision from Ananias

Paul had miraculous authenticity

Galatians 2:8 (for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

Paul was prophesied
mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
This inspired revelation is needed"

Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 the same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."

acts 21:37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? 38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people."
1 corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:"

Paul is universally accepted in christendom
    The catholic church, EOC, evangelicals protestants, baptist, even many cults like jehovahs witnesses, Mormons and others all accept Paul in their canons. Even Marcion who rejected most of the NT accept the inspiration of paul!

1 Timothy 3:15

but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

     If we had a lower view of scripture; it is natural for us to refer to church authority. Yet across the board traditions all agree as to the Prophetic marks and nature of Paul. There is more unity on this subject than even the trinity!

    If the people of God are the pillar and ground of truth that Paul is a legitamite apostle.

Heresy is demonic in nature
1 timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; "

2Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
   So the concern of orthodoxy is here tied into spiritual warfare. So if Paul is both concerned with honesty and spiritual warfare then he must be an indivdual in his mind seeking the things of christ.
Also when we see the wide variety of cults popping up in the last 300 years we see that this is fufilled bible prophecy.

Post debate thoughts on Free Will / Predestination Discussion | Matt Singleon and Will Kinney Revolution 1.23K subscribers Subscribed 23"

 

link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/5IDr5kQ3-so?si=6Z1jDBk1GP2LAiCu

 I have had several debates in my time online. However the one that I have dealth with for many years I officially did not perform was the predestination/free will.

My opponent was Will kinney. Will had debated this position in the past. Will was known as a KJV, Bible versions scholar. he provides a virtual library of varying texts on his website "brand plucked"

Now remember, we agreed on several doctrines.  [trinity, virgin birth, deity of christ, incarnation, fall of man, inspiration scripture once saved always saved]  so this material is not concebout all theology but our partcular theological differences.

Will, wanted the debate to be title "calvinism vs Arminianism".
Calvinists regulary promote the fallacy of "false dicotomy".  anyone who opposes their system is labeled "Arminian".

    As long as it is not called out,  this tactic is effective because it keeps the calvinists from the burden of studying their opponents.
Typically, Calvinist strategy is to espouse their views repeatedly and insert a strategy called "gaslighting"  This fallacy verbally punishes opponents for disagreeing and combines demeaning and shaming to silence their competition.
I have never identified as an "arminian" because I have differences with arminian teaching as classically understood.  This was why I was shy about claiming any type of calvinism.  Although I breifly was and spent a decade with some form of modification.
My differences with classical arminianism is as follows.
1 classical arminianism agrees with total depravity.  Now this phrase is not off for espousing man's sinful nature.  The problem is an internal doctrine called "total inability".  The idea that man is incapable of faith in Christ.
2. election: Arminians argue that the reason which God has arranged salvation is the foreknowledge of His faith.
My argument is that election is not a doctrine of salvation, but instead the kingdom.
Salvation is offered based upon the work and atonement of christ.
3.  Arminius had the atonement right for the most part. However later followers denied it
4.Regeneration is preceded by faith
Arminius and a few others argued lighter version of regeneration preceding faith.  Where the Holy SPirit comes to fix the problem after the fact in prevenient grace, giving man a free-wil.  My position and others believe that while The Gospel draws people to faith.  Regeneration however is complete process after faith and freedom is a normal function of the human psyche the way everyone agree on other topics.
5. Salvation once completed is eternally secure. arminius doubted eternal security.  While wesleyans are firm in this denial."
 But instead of Listening to my ideas, or anyone elses for that matter,


Does God offer salvation?

"It's never called an offer of salvation not once in the bible is it called an offer of salvation. God does not offer salvation.." Will Kinney 2:37:35-44
  This is the heart of the problem in the contemporary movement of calvinism.  And I do not believe Will is extreme in the calvinistic community with this statement. But if God does not offer salvation, what is the point of evangelicalism?
But how about we see if Will is correct.

luke 11: 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

   Here we see the Lord Jesus Christ speaking and he guarantees a resonse on the condition of "ask" then "knock" the normal implication of someone telling you to ask is that you are recieving an offer.

Matthew 22:7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. "
  Here we see the Lord of the wedding(God)  has bidden his followers to find anyone willing to come to the wedding. We are to go everyone and bring people to the marriage.


Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. "
     So here see the invitation from the Holy Spirit and bride of christ church. in a calvinistic system this is theologically impossible.  Yet it is an obvious invitation from God.


God's Will
matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: "
If the purpose of hell was to punish angels.  Then the punishment of man was a secondary purpose and not the original point.  Thus man was not predestined to burn in Hell.

1 Peter 2:8 and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. "
Although an assumed proof text of determinism.  They are appointed "also" proceeding the condition of their sins.

john 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. "
Obviously the professing "calvinist" KJV translators believed the proper translation the text was that "all men" [uiversal statement] [through him might believe] so belief is conditional.
"every man that coneth into the world" can not be a more univeral statement..  I know of no more inense phrase to this point.

Matthew 18:11

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."
Who was lost?  Just the jews or everyone?

Man's life
ecc 7: 29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions."
The intent of creation is an upright man.  If God has willed to be upright then man starts upright.  But when man sins it is the responsibility of the man. seeking out inventions means that these ideas are not belonging to God.
Jeremiah 19:5 they have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:"
God does not promote moral evil. It is not his plan to make evil even though he racts t and operate around it.

what gives us faith?
Romans 10: 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; "
it is th effort of God to bring man salvation and therefore God desires man to choose Him.

Man's Free Will
Genesis 1:7 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
Dominion is an overt excercise of the Will.  God created man with a will which dominates creation.

psalm 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies,that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.3  When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;4 what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands;thou hast put all things under his feet:7 all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;8  the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea,and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.9 O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth"
   In the act of granting mankind with dominion and glory, God is praised with excellence throughout the earth?  So if Man in His creation is dysfunctional by God then God's name is not praiseworthy, by that logic. 



Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."
  here the "breath of life" Is the spirit. Comebined with Adams flesh formed the "living soul"  part of mankinds function through the soul, is the Will.  The functions of the spirit, living or dead will place a context upon the soul. psychologist usually attribute this to the sub concious.


Deuteronomy 30:10 if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it."
The pious are empowered by the Word. As opposed to a mystic experience.   It is rational and sanctification is then rational.

Psalm 54:I will freely sacrifice unto thee:
I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good."
Many calvinists have argued to me that Man is incapable of doing truly good things,  However the OT saints are not given regeneration.  Yet David is frely worshipping God in Sanctification.
john 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
  Therefore as David was not aided by a special unction of the spirit, He did what was a trangression against the doctrine of total depravity.  he willed that which was Good.



Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
This will be discussed later.   But the phenomena of the Baptism in the spirit is a relatively new experience. 


Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 
2 corinthians 6: We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 
Hebrews 10:29 of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
   While Calivinist claim the work of the Holy SPirit as irresistable.  The scripture even translated by Calvinists says that men resist the Holy SPirit.


Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Now since baptism is in the name of the trinity,including the Holy Ghost, then the implication is that christian baptism has proceeded the spiritual baptism.


Acts 19:2 he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. ."
  The baptism of John the bbaptist is not christian baptism.  The doctrine of the trinity brings forth the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

1 corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."

1 john 5: 1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is  born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him."
  So salvation does not have a 2nd work of grace to make salvation happen.


Will's proof texts
2 Timothy 1:9 who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"
  Now like most of the reformers Will has a tendency to synthesize words.  here will is synthesizing the word calling with election.



Understanding the distinctions between Transcendance and Eminence
SO typically theologans have a bad habit of affiring the trinity but only dealing philosophically with a unitarian god.

It gives them a lot of trouble for nothing.
One place that is more obvious over this subject.
Does God operate inside of time or outside of time?
I think a few moments of though would get the majority of christians to admit that He does both.
Now if you are faithfil you may not nottice, but this very peculiar.
How can one be in time and out of time?
but if there is more thsn one persn this more consistent!


Debating past the argument

https://www.youtube.com/live/Pf3KVUy1Ocs?si=wwGfxWpiNPnykmYT

While I and other see Calvinists are guilty of these strategies, really any ideology can adopt these tactics.
Most of these tactics are actually fallacies.  If the ideas fail, you can use " bad arguments to keep the audience from coming to the same conclusion."